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Active Living and Recreation

The Town of Amherst's pdf Active Living Strategic Plan (1.42 MB)  and our pdf Recreation Master Plan (1.95 MB)  outline our plans to become the most healthy, active community in Nova Scotia. Our Active Living Co-ordinator ensures there are plenty of opportunities for residents of all ages and abilities to be physically active and works to give our community opportunities to participate. Keep up with all the activities happening with the Town and in our community on our Amherst Community Living and Recreation Department Facebook page.

Our Recreation Department aims to enhance the quality of life and meet the needs of everyone in our community by continuing to develop active living programs, cultural activities, and sport facilities. 

Youth enjoy lots of options for organized sports and competitive team activities, with swimming, hockey, soccer, and basketball ranking at the top. Indoor facilities include the Amherst Stadium with ice surface, the YMCA pool, and school gyms. Outdoor facilities include a skate park, splash pad, baseball park complex, new tennis courts and basketball hoops, and modern playgrounds.

One of the most popular recreational activities for adults is walking and we've got beautiful natural trails throughout town, with outdoor tracks at Dickey Park, Rotary Centennial Park, and Amherst Lion's Park.

Indoor Walking

The indoor walking track at the Amherst Stadium is a great way to stay active all year round! During the summer, the walking track is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.

We encourage daily walking with walking challenges. Destinations can be across the country or somewhere warm like Mexico or Hawaii. During each day of a challenge, walkers count the number of laps they walk each day and add them to the overall tally, trying to reach the goal before the deadline. We’ve walked more than 2,000 laps in just one week, walking coast to coast without leaving Amherst!

Recreational Skating

Public skating is offered FREE as part of the Town of Amherst’s Physical Activity Strategy supporting an active healthy Amherst. Skating sessions offered include Adult & Senior, Parents & Tots, Public Skating, and After the Bell Skating. After the Bell Skating encourages youth to be active after school with Hockey and Ringette shinny options. Ringette sticks are provided. For a full skating schedule check the Amherst Stadium Calendar.

Learn 2 Lead Cumberland

Learn 2 Lead is a series of workshops organized by Cumberland municipalities (Cumberland County, Amherst, Oxford) to offer residents opportunities to train locally. The goal is to provide additional training to leaders in our communities - volunteers, coaches and leaders of all backgrounds.

Living Well

Let’s live well together! Living Well is a program designed for older adults to keep them moving while providing wellness opportunities offered by the Town of Amherst in partnership with the YMCA of Cumberland. Each week participants perform 30 minutes of activity, either a walking circuit or chair yoga, followed by a social healthy snack break and a different health & wellness topic speaker.

Amherst Cumberland Multisport Active Start

Children in grades primary and one participate in nine sports over nine months, including basketball, figure skating, curling, cheer, tae kwon-do, swimming, run jump throw, soccer, and baseball. The program builds overall skills and ability and encourages lifelong enjoyment in sport. Click here to go to the Amherst Cumberland Multisport Facebook page. Registration for the program typically opens at the end of June or early July for the following Sept-May session.

Bookings and Contact Information

Booking Town Facilities

  • Phone: 902-667-6500
  • Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

After-hours Facility Contact

  • Phone: 902-664-8774

Facebook: Amherst Community Living and Recreation Department

Recreation Facilities Manager

Corey Crocker
Phone: 902-694-0001
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Active Living Co-ordinator

Jessica Allen
Phone: 902-694-0371
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Recreation Resources